I’ve been a birth photographer for 9 years and more and more people are choosing to have their birth photographed! Birth is one of the most unpredictable and life-changing events for most parents, so it’s important to do research in advance and think about what your options ahead of time.

In terms of photography, birth photography is definitely one of the most challenging types of events to photograph because of its unpredictable nature. This is one area where you definitely get what you pay for. If you want to have a reliable photographer who is accustomed to the lifestyle of being on call and dropping everything to come to you, day or night, as well as has the expensive equipment and skills necessary to photograph in low light situations, as well as the intuition to navigate the sensitivity of birth spaces…you really need to interview the options in your area and choose someone who will be the right fit for the quality and experience you’re wanting.

Questions to ask when interviewing a Birth Photographer:

1. Why did you become a birth photographer?

2. How long have you been a photographer and how long have you been photographing births specifically?

3. How do you navigate low light situations? Do you use flash? Are you able to continue taking pictures if the flash is bothering me during labor?

4. When do you come during labor? And how long do you stay after labor?

5. What do you do in the event that labor lasts for a long time?

6. What is your presence like in the birth space? Are you chatty? Are you quiet and unobtrusive?

7. Do you offer video as well as photos? How do you prioritize when to take video vs still images?

8. What happens if you are sick, traveling or otherwise unavailable to come to my birth when I call?

9. What types of births have you photographed?

10. What types do you most often photograph?

11. What happens if I have an unexpected cesarean?

12. Have you ever missed a birth and what is your process if that happens?

    Do you have anything to add to this list? Comment below.